insideSUSSEX Magazine Issue 08 - October 2015 | Page 56
HEALTH+WELLNESS
stoptober
QUIT SMOKING FOR GOOD
Stoptober is all about quitting. But quitting in the best possible way – it’s to do with giving
up smoking. When it comes to cigarettes, NHS research shows that after 28 days without
one, smokers are around five times more likely to quit for good, and never light up again.
And isn’t that the best for everyone? Imagine a world with no more smoking related deaths
and illnesses, a world without passive smoking harming our children, a world where we
don’t have to dodge cigarette butts on the roads, pavements, and all over the countryside.
That world is within sight, according to Stoptober’s founders.
Everyone knows that smoking is bad for them,
but quitting isn’t always as simple as having the
knowledge and throwing the cigs away. Habit
and addiction play a huge part in why people
smoke, but Stoptober aims to show those who
truly want to quit that they are not alone. And
this year the campaign runs in conjunction with
a new law that begins on 1st October: as of this
date, it will be illegal to smoke in a vehicle if
anyone under 18 is present. So what better time
to quit than now?
The good news is that the number of smokers
in the UK has reached a record low. According
to the Office for National Statistics, smokers now
account for just 18.4% of the population, and
the rate is declining each year. But there is still
work to do; that 18.4% is still around eight million
people. That is why campaigns such as Stoptober
are such an important part of making those
numbers get even lower.
Last year, over 250,000 people stubbed out their
cigarettes in Stoptober, which is created and
funded in this country by Public Health England.
The brains behind the campaign understand that
quitting is a challenge, so they’ve turned it from
a terrifying, terrible, and really rather lonely
endeavour into a fun and interesting one.
Stoptober encourages and supports those trying
to quit by offering advice and linking them with
others who are hoping to stop smoking for good.
The first thing to do is sign up and register your
details. It’s fast and free, and in return you’ll
receive the Stoptober Support Pack. This pack
contains everything you need to get started
stopping including a mobile phone app and a
28-day text support system. It will also give you
plenty of ideas about events that you can either
set up yourself, or discover in your area. These
events are mostly charity based, with funds going
to organisations such as Cancer Research UK
and the British Lung Foundation, and they are
also a great opportunity to meet other people
So what does it involve?
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near you who are going through the same feelings,
emotions, and physical cravings that you will be.
A problem shared is, as they say, a problem
halved, and having a quitting buddy can
sometimes make all the difference between
making it through 28 days (and beyond) smoke
free and giving in to the tobacco when it calls.
Next, you should prepare to quit. For some, going
at it cold turkey in October works, but for others
preparation is key to long-term freedom from
smoking.
1. Decide on a quitting date. If you are taking
part in Stoptober, that’s easy, and you can mark
it on your calendar so you and everyone else will
see it. Those who want you to stop smoking will
get excited about the prospect, and that is
contagious! You’ll soon be wishing the days away
so you can finally quit.
2. This leads onto the second point – let
people know. Ask them for help. Give them your
reasons for quitting so they completely understand